Mailist to discuss all issues regarding the Digitech GSP-2101 Guitar FX Processor

I recently tried using my 2101 after a long period in storage. When I turned it on, everything started as usual but the only sound I got was this horrible static and crackling. I could hear the effect in the background when I didn't play anything (swishing of phasers, tremolos, etc) but I couldn't get any real sound if I played. If I put the unit in bypass everything was fine, no more cracking. If I run the FX send to my amp same thing, no cracking. So it is clearly the digital section. Is there any thing I can do or am I SOL? Thanks.

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Sent from Chris R. Pelayo's Blackberry

I have done a reset and changed out the tubes without success but I will try changing the battery and cleaning it out. Chris, you make a good point about hearing the effects working. Since I can get sound from the FX send, maybe there is something disrupting the audio signal from getting to the digital section rather than a problem with the processor itself. I have no idea where it might be, but I'll start with MM's suggestion to reseat the ribbon cables. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.

Dan

--- In gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com, chris.pelayo@... wrote:

>
> I think what MM said about replacing the battery, resetting, etc should be automatic considering the long time without use. Might also give the entire inside of the unit a good cleaning as you would your PC with a compressed air to remove all lint & dust (Heck I've even seen the effect of a tiny insect crawling around inside a computer cause a short.). Was the unit stored in climate controlled conditions? If not the temperature & humidity changes might have damaged one of the many different components inside. 
> 
> The fact that you can hear the effects working also tells me that the digital section might NOT be the root of the problem. Don't totally discount the analog tube section since it may be "working" but not well enough to get the digital section the signal it needs. Check the preamp tubes and their pin sockets. If it were me I would definitely replace the 12AX7s while I had the cover open since it's inexpensive and easily done. Tung Sol 12AX7s are my recommendation. 
> 
> Hope something here helps you. Let us know how it goes. 
> 
> Chris P. 
> 
> -
> Sent from Chris R. Pelayo's Blackberry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: M M <strategy400@...>
> Sender: gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 00:42:56 
> To: <gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com>
> Reply-To: gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [gsp-2101] Help! 2101 on the fritz
> 
> 
> Fresh battery, do a reset, maybe reseat all the chips and ribbon cables. I'f had things stop working after storage/moving and reseating stuff fixed it (just apply a little pressure to the ribbon cables). If that doesn't help maybe more drastic action is required.
>  
> I've also had my unit stop working because of a dead battery.
>  
> 
> 
> 
> To: gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com
> From: edgestrat@...
> Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 20:26:40 +0000
> Subject: [gsp-2101] Help! 2101 on the fritz
> 
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> I recently tried using my 2101 after a long period in storage. When I turned it on, everything started as usual but the only sound I got was this horrible static and crackling. I could hear the effect in the background when I didn't play anything (swishing of phasers, tremolos, etc) but I couldn't get any real sound if I played. If I put the unit in bypass everything was fine, no more cracking. If I run the FX send to my amp same thing, no cracking. So it is clearly the digital section. Is there any thing I can do or am I SOL? Thanks.
>

--- In gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com, "Dan" <edgestrat@...> wrote:
>
> I have done a reset and changed out the tubes without success but I will try changing the battery and cleaning it out. Chris, you make a good point about hearing the effects working. Since I can get sound from the FX send, maybe there is something disrupting the audio signal from getting to the digital section rather than a problem with the processor itself. I have no idea where it might be, but I'll start with MM's suggestion to reseat the ribbon cables. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.
> 
> Dan
> 
> --- In gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com, chris.pelayo@ wrote:
> >
> > I think what MM said about replacing the battery, resetting, etc should be automatic considering the long time without use. Might also give the entire inside of the unit a good cleaning as you would your PC with a compressed air to remove all lint & dust (Heck I've even seen the effect of a tiny insect crawling around inside a computer cause a short.). Was the unit stored in climate controlled conditions? If not the temperature & humidity changes might have damaged one of the many different components inside. 
> > 
> > The fact that you can hear the effects working also tells me that the digital section might NOT be the root of the problem. Don't totally discount the analog tube section since it may be "working" but not well enough to get the digital section the signal it needs. Check the preamp tubes and their pin sockets. If it were me I would definitely replace the 12AX7s while I had the cover open since it's inexpensive and easily done. Tung Sol 12AX7s are my recommendation. 
> > 
> > Hope something here helps you. Let us know how it goes. 
> > 
> > Chris P. 
> > 
> > -
> > Sent from Chris R. Pelayo's Blackberry
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: M M <strategy400@>
> > Sender: gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 00:42:56 
> > To: <gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com>
> > Reply-To: gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: RE: [gsp-2101] Help! 2101 on the fritz
> > 
> > 
> > Fresh battery, do a reset, maybe reseat all the chips and ribbon cables. I'f had things stop working after storage/moving and reseating stuff fixed it (just apply a little pressure to the ribbon cables). If that doesn't help maybe more drastic action is required.
> >  
> > I've also had my unit stop working because of a dead battery.
> >  
> > 
> > 
I know you've changed tube but if the high-voltage for the tube circuits isn't right , you wont have any proper pre-amp feed.
I dont have a schema but you can check tube biasing specs for the 12ax7 online and which pins have it